League Preview: Finn Harps -v- UCD

FINN HARPS

Second-placed after eight games, the Easter double-header proved profitable for Darren Murphy’s men as they earned an impressive two wins to move within one point of First Division pacesetters, Cork City.

A stirring second half two weeks ago away at Wexford saw midfielders, Patrick Ferry and David Cawley, both strike. A scoreless stalemate with Kerry followed in Ballybofey before club captain, Tony McNamee, plundered a winner to end Treaty United’s unbeaten start at the Markets Field a week ago.

Then, on Easter Monday, goals at the end of each half, the first instigated by McNamee’s alertness to take a quick free kick, by Cawley and McNamee sent the home faithful home happy.

Striker, Success Edogun remains a prolific threat but both Murphy and Harps fans can be encouraged by successive clean sheets and only failing to score on two of eight occasions so far. Their promotion push faces another stern examination here.

UCD

The Students, relegated last season, come into this one breathing down Harps’ necks in third. Sitting four points behind their hosts, coach Willie O’Connor for that gap to the top two to not increase any further.

Also, in action twice over the Easter period, UCD took four points from encounters against Longford Town and Kerry.

Mikey Raggett, Jake Doyle and Ciaran Behan got the goals in those games. That trio are just three of the players that Finn Harps will be wary of.

With Cork lying in wait next Friday at the UCD Bowl, a positive result to take into that crunch clash feels imperative.

Referee: Oliver Moran.

MATCH STATS 

The sides’ last league meeting came in the Premier Division in October 2022 when a 3-1 UCD win relegated Finn Harps to the First Division.

Right-back, Conor Tourish, Harps’ scorer that night, is one of just three current home players from that squad alongside midfielder, Ryan Rainey and striker, Sean O’Donnell.

UCD have only kept one clean sheet, against Athlone Town, in their first eight games of this campaign.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2-1 UCD

Finn Harps:

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

UCD:

Injured: Ronan Finn.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.